Monitor Central projects: Rahul

IN A reminder to Congress president Sonia Gandhi?s attack on the Mulayam Singh Yadav government over ?pilferage of central funds? in Kanpur last month, Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi today called upon Congressmen to fight obstructions, corruption and tardy implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes in the State. Besides cornering the Mulayam government at the meeting of village pradhans and block panchayat members, Rahul also answered questions ranging from terrorism to the ongoing delimitation process.

IN A reminder to Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s attack on the Mulayam Singh Yadav government over ‘pilferage of central funds’ in Kanpur last month, Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi today called upon Congressmen to fight obstructions, corruption and tardy implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes in the State.

Besides cornering the Mulayam government at the meeting of village pradhans and block panchayat members, Rahul also answered questions ranging from terrorism to the ongoing delimitation process. Rahul said the main objective of the terrorists was to divide the society. “It is high time we get united to fight terrorism,” he said.

About the proposed changes in his constituency, Rahul said, “Delimitation is an ongoing process. Yes people have met me about changing of areas and scrapping of Sultanpur. They have put up their point of view.” Asked when he proposed to move out of his constituency, Rahul said he had already started moving out and addressed a meeting. “I will go anywhere the Congress asks me to,” said Rahul.

Rahul Gandhi is on a four-day visit to his Lok Sabha constituency. As he moved from one block to another block, he tried to educate people about the importance of strictly monitoring the implementation of the development schemes.

“I am your MP. My job is to bring funds for development schemes-roads and power etc. I can exert pressure on the central government. I can take up your issues in Parliament. I can’t monitor each and every road. This is your job,” said Rahul Gandhi adding, “See how the central funds are being used in UP. Do inform me wherever you come across any irregularities. Exert pressure.”

Rahul also hinted at how the Mulayam government was trying to cause obstructions in the way of implementation of development projects. “When the State Government did not cooperate, we brought the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme to bring power to the constituency,” said Rahul Gandhi.

“Amethi has also got a large amount of Central Road Fund. There are nearly 100 roads coming up here,” he said. “Monitor how they are coming up. Fight against any irregularity there. As far as the roads coming up under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana are concerned, this is the job of the village Pradhan to ensure that no corruption takes place in the construction of road. If there is nay problem from contractor, just inform us.”

As Rahul was addressing the grass-roots leaders there were demands galore.

“Do not get involved in trivial issues,” said Rahul Gandhi even as he assured them that all their demands would be considered.

“There are three levels of fighting. We have to keep the fight on. First I have to fight to bring more funds. At second level you will have to fight to ensure that the schemes are properly implemented. And if a project remains incomplete, this becomes a fight of all of us,” said Rahul. Rahul will also preside over a meeting of District Level Central Vigilance and Monitoring Committee at the Vikas Bhawan of Sultanpur.

If district officials are to be believed, the main objective behind holding the meeting is to ensure proper monitoring of various development projects.